Aug 13

Aug 13 Northeast gets new principal, LCPS has new federal programs director

Rashard P. Curmon is the new principal at Northeast Elementary School. Photo by Patrick Holmes / Lenoir County Public Schools

The Lenoir County Board of Education brought abroad a new principal for Northeast Elementary School and a new director of federal programs Monday night, acting on the recommendation of Superintendent Brent Williams.

“Superintendent Williams has been talking about them for a couple of weeks now,” LCPS Board Chairman Keith King said. “They’re great people who will be good for our county, and we support our superintendent — if he says they’re good folks, we can trust his judgement.”

Rashard P. Curmon brings experience in school administration, in curriculum coaching and in classroom instruction to his leadership role at Northeast. His appointment fills the vacancy left by the resignation in June of Kendra Woods, principal at Northeast for two years.

Curmon’s appointment is effective immediately.

“I am excited to be here,” Curmon said. “There are great things here in Lenoir County, I believe we’ll have a good school year and Northeast is going to lead.”

Beverly A. Kee will move from her position as assistant director of federal programs in Wayne County to direct the LCPS program. That position has been filled on an interim basis since December, when Tina Letchworth left to work with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.

Curmon, a native of New Bern now living in Winterville, was principal of Washington County Early College High School last school year and an assistant principal at two Tarboro schools — Tarboro High and W.A. Pattillo Middle — the two years prior. He served as an instructional coach at Pattillo Middle from 2014-16 and taught in Greene County from 2010-14.

He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Elizabeth City State University, a master of arts in teaching from ECU and a master of school administration degree from N.C. State.

Kee taught math in Wayne County from 2001-16, when she became assistant director of federal programs.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Winston-Salem State University, middle grades mathematics certification from Fayetteville State University, a master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction from Central Michigan University and educational leadership and supervision certification from Gardner-Webb University.

“I have been in Wayne County for so long, and I’m looking forward to being a part of a new county with the challenge of stepping up as a director,” Kee said. “When I came in, the people of Lenoir County were worm and welcoming, and I’m excited to be a part of this family.”

Junious Smith III contributed to this report.